Karen Kidd News
Former FSU, West Point attorney indefinitely suspended following conviction in child sex sting
TALLAHASSEE — Tallahassee attorney Dayton Michael Cramer, former deputy general counsel at Florida State University, has been indefinitely suspended following an April 3 Florida Supreme Court ruling after his conviction in March for trying to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.
South African seaman seeks damages for injuries incurred on yacht
A South African seaman injured while the pleasure yacht on which he was employed was undergoing repairs in Ford Lauderdale last fall is seeking "maintenance and cure" and other relief from defendants he says negligently caused his injuries.
Perry woman claims illness linked to salmonella outbreak
An elderly Taylor County woman who spent about seven days hospitalized for exposure to salmonella has filed a complaint against an Indiana-based egg producer and a Missouri-based grocery chain following a recall of more than 200 million eggs earlier this year.
Former prisoner alleges years of poor treatment from health care contractor, employees
PENSACOLA (Florida Record) — A former Florida inmate is suing a state corrections health care services provider and three of its employees, alleging years of poor health care he received following a colitis diagnosis, including solitary confinement for using the bathroom, that ultimately left him with a colostomy bag.
District Court judge denies class certification in toxin lawsuit
MIAMI — Tens of thousands of residents living in The Acreage, a residential community near Palm Beach that for years has been the focus of industrial contamination litigation, won't get to join a class action following a federal judge's decision early last month to deny class certification.
Federal judge: Insurance companies obligated to defend auto rental lessors
MIAMI (Florida Record) — Even if an amendment to the a federal transportation act provided a complete defense for auto rental lessors, insurance companies remain obligated to defend them and raise the amendment as an affirmative defense, a federal judge ruled in an order handed down in April.
U.S. judge hands down another dimissal in Mainstream Advertising's trademark infringement case
MIAMI (Florida Record) — A federal judge has handed down another dismissal, this time in part, in a California online advertising services company's lawsuit against a Miami domain management firm with which it once had a profitable business arrangement.
Court finds lack of standing in Medicare lawsuit – but not for lack of effort
A federal judge recently dismissed a Medicare beneficiary reimbursement company's consolidated class action, saying 14 times is plenty of chances for the company to plead its case.
Texas man alleges Fort Lauderdale marine company failed to refurbish yacht
FORT LAUDERDALE (Florida Record) — A Texas man is suing a Fort Lauderdale marine service company and one of its owners for allegedly failing to fix up a used yacht, despite months of work last year and more than a half-million dollars paid for the never-completed work.
Accused Parkland shooter's brother alleges torture while in jail
FORT LAUDERDALE (Florida Record) — The brother of accused Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz has filed a federal lawsuit against a Broward County sheriff's captain and local judiciary officials over allegations he was tortured following an arrest in March.
Wal-Mart asks federal court to take up Broward County man's injury lawsuit
FORT LAUDERDALE (Florida Record) — Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is asking a federal court in Fort Lauderdale to take up the case of a Broward County man who was allegedly injured in one of the company's Florida stores in 2015.
Florida fitness company alleges 2 former employees stole mailing lists to start rival studio
FORT LAUDERDALE (Florida Record) — A Florida-based fitness company is suing two Washington state residents, both former employees, it says logged into its network and stole the names and contact information of more than 20,000 potential customers before starting a rival fitness company in Seattle in April.
Tampa-area photographer alleges 2 companies used his work without permission
FORT LAUDERDALE (Florida Record) — A Tampa-area professional photographer has filed suit in federal court against two Florida companies, alleging they stole a photograph he registered for copyright in 2015 for use in their own advertisements.
Trinity attorney permanently disbarred following allegations of video voyeurism
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Trinity attorney James Patrick Stanton Jr has been voluntarily and permanently disbarred following a March 8 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he used video equipment to tape female employees in an employee bathroom, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Tampa attorney to be publicly reprimanded over alleged improper fee sharing
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Tampa attorney Abraham Mohammad Shakfeh, practicing in Florida less than seven years, will be publicly reprimanded following a March 22 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations that included improper fee sharing with a non-attorney, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Wesley Chapel attorney found in contempt, reprimanded after not responding to official inquiry
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Wesley Chapel attorney Mercedes Gonzalez Hale has been publicly reprimanded following a March 2 Florida Supreme Court order after she was found in contempt for not responding to an official inquiry, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Lehigh Acres attorney disbarred over history of allegedly failing clients
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Lehigh Acres attorney Vana Renejuste has been disbarred following a March 15 court Florida Supreme Court order over a history of failing her clients, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Orlando attorney suspended again following no contest plea in DUI case
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Orlando attorney Adam Paul Philpott has been suspended for six months following a March 1 Florida Supreme Court order after his no contest plea on a misdemeanor charge stemming from a 2016 DUI arrest, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Longtime Fort Pierce attorney to be reprimanded over allegations in 2 cases
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Fort Pierce attorney Joseph John Mancini, practicing in Florida for 34 years, will be publicly reprimanded by publication in the Southern Reporter following a March 1 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations arising from two cases, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.